About 2 weeks ago I was in a Bath & Body Works. I had just spent a bunch of time reading and writing and deep thinking and I just wanted to browse and maybe get some air freshener. But I was not 5 seconds in the door when I was approached by someone who asked if they could help me find something. I politely smiled and responded with, "No thanks, I'm just browsing." She went on to list all the things that were on sale and pointed out exactly where I might find the items. I made it a point to communicate by my body language that I was serious when I said I was just BROWSING. But naturally I responded with a grin and a, "thanks". She of course, felt compelled to continue by telling me that IF I were, at any point in time, in need of her assistance that I should seek her out. Again I said, "thanks". Then finally she walked away.
I finally felt safe to continue thinking about all that was on my mind. But...and I'd love to say I was exaggerating the time frame here...10 seconds later....an extremely bright eyed manager- type started coming at me like I was a wounded wildabeast, and her next meal. I literally felt a sense of panic as she came up to me...the bitch was gonna help me find something if it killed her. "HI! :) :) :) Can I help you find something?!?!" I said, "No thanks, she already asked and I'm just browsing." Again, I wish I was exaggerating but she seriously started listing the sales and then wanted me to follow her (she wasn't just going to point like her slacker employee!) to their locations.
If anyone knows me they know I'm extremely non-confrontational. But I've been getting better lately. So I had to interupt her by saying, "Look, I was already approached and I just want to look around. If I'm not allowed to do that, then I'm going to leave." And do you know what she said?? She said, (at least sheepishly...I'll give her that) "I'm sorry, I just wanted to let you know that...blah blah blah...is on sale and that you can find it...." Me interrupting (and not so polite), "Yes. I know. Thank you."
I was left alone after that. Odly enough, air freshener was one of the items on sale. And in fact I did seek out sales girl #1 to ask a question about it.
Ok...first of all the store is about 200 sq ft. and I think there's a sales girl for every 5. I go to ikea and I wonder if there's anyone even working there and that place is about as big as O'Hare.
Secondly, I want to know if a survey has ever been done that has found that if a person needs something and doesn't know where to find it, that they are more likely to leave without asking than getting what they need.
I don't know who comes up with these sales tactics. I think our consumer driven culture does just fine without pushy sales people. I say get rid of commission based pay alltogether. If I want a car I'll buy a car...and I'll hunt for the best deal. If you can give me the best deal then we can talk. But the price of body spray isn't negotiable...so leave me the fuck alone.
3 comments:
ha ha. Great ending line.
So true, too. Did you know that when Therese and Tim were ready to buy a new car, they SO BADLY wanted to avoid pushy sales people that they e-mailed dealerships asking for the bottom line best price?
Apparently, they told the dealerships the specific maximum price they were willing to pay and asked what offer they could make...via email.
And wouldn't you know, they got the deal they wanted and then some.
Hmm...think I could do this with cosmetics? "Hello. I want a great perfume, but I'm not willing to pay more than $20.00 for a bottle. Can you make the price smell right?" = )
I'm sure that some lonely person out there finds that sort of "service" helpful... I am, like you, not one of those people. Generally, when I go into a store, I've been there before, and know exactly what I need. I can't say that I've ever found something life-changing in a B&BW that I was unaware of until a salesperson pointed it out. Just give me my freesia lotion and let me get out of here. I don't care about the nauseating new holiday scent that you're trying to push on me. Back off, Jackson.
(P.S. - you motivated me to finally start my blog too. I've been intending to ever since I ended the Olympics blog.)
I refuse, on principle, to buy something if I feel I'm being subjected to a hard-sell. I don't care how good a deal it is. I won't do it.
I've actually walked away (more than once) from something I thought was a real bargain, just because I wasn't going to give into their strong-arm tactics.
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